English Department at Montclair State University

05/19/2026

Hello Montclair English department friends! Please use the attached link to see our Spring 2026 Alumni Newsletter.
The department is very proud of the work Bella Dicristina, Charlotte Speck, and Mariam Kamladze put into this project. You'll see interviews with alums Tania Parra, Annie Yon, Ana Hilario, and Haylee Berry. We've also got conversations with professors Cleyvis Natera (who has a new, well-acclaimed novel to discuss) and Boris Tsessarsky (who makes critically recognized short films). The students also wrote features about Mira Jacob's visit to campus, the new English Department study abroad programs, the Playne English Podcast, and the use of Internet technologies to address disabilities.

Please send feedback if you have any, and enjoy the issue!

04/13/2026

Dr. Wendy Nielsen is hosting a Virtual English MA Open House on Tuesday, April 21 from 6-7 PM. She will let you know about our department's MA program and the areas on which you can focus; you'll hear about career pathways and professional opportunities; you'll get details on admissions, funding, and application tips; you'll meet other faculty and a current member of our MA class. You need to register first!
Bonus: Attendees who register and participate using the same email address will receive an application fee waiver when applying to the program.
https://lnkd.in/ekGPVbr3.

03/25/2026

Montclair State English is in full swing during the Spring 2026 semester! Check out some photos of classes in action featuring our great Professors: Dr. Rzepka and Dr. Behlman!

03/13/2026

Montclair English Department Alums: we're getting close! The 4th annual Alumni Reception is coming up on 3/26 at 6 PM in the School of Business Room 140. We're expecting a terrific turnout--lots of RSVPs already--but there's room for more of you to come. If you haven't been, it's a lovely, low-key night that allows you to see old professors and classmates as well as meet and network with like-minded folks. Registration is FREE; attendees can bring a guest, and we'll have appetizers and drinks.

Take a look at the photos from our first three if you're curious. Please use the registration link to confirm you're attending. Thanks!

https://engagement.montclair.edu/e/2026-english-alumni-reception/

https://montclairstatealumniengagement.smugmug.com/2023/English-Alumni-Reception-040423

https://montclairstatealumniengagement.smugmug.com/2024ae/022724-English-Alumni-Reception

https://montclairstatealumniengagement.smugmug.com/2025ae/2-25M-english

This gallery hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.

02/21/2026

News item about the book drive English organized in coordination with Social Work and Child Advocacy for Bridge of Books. Many thanks to all of our donors and helpers! Montclair has AMAZING students.

Faculty, students, and staff from English, Social Work and Child Advocacy, History, and the Interdisciplinary School for Social Transformation completed a children’s book drive benefiting the Bridge of Books Foundation, donating 13 boxes of like‑new books for young readers across New Jersey. Bri...

02/20/2026

Please join us! Info below. You can scan QR code or email Nada Rustom (email on the flyer) or Jeff Gonzalez at [email protected] to get the link.

01/05/2026

Hello English Department friends! We invite you to read out most recent Alumni Newsletter at the attached Google Drive link.
Three undergraduate students--Josie Estes, Menen Gowdie, and Bella DiCristina--came up with the ideas for each interview and feature story; they also designed and edited the final version that I hope you'll enjoy. Of the five newsletters we've produced so far, this one's by far the most ambitious, and I'm proud of what our students put together.

This issue contains interviews with new film professor Jennifer Fleeger and our highly decorated colleague, Patricia Matthew. You'll also see conversations with three alums: Evan Dekens, English teacher and author of a collection of poetry; Michelle D'Alessio, English teacher and recent MA grad; and Sue Serritella, the CEO of Continuum Marketing. We have a short update on life in the department on page 1, with links to articles about the department in the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Our student writers produced feature stories--one on the "BookTok" phenomenon, one on a streaming TV show hosted by two English majors, and one on English 300, the only required English course.

If you cannot access the link above, please DM this link and we'll share it with you. And if you'd like to be featured in a forthcoming issue, please DM or email Professor Jeffrey Gonzalez.

Thanks & enjoy!

12/03/2025

Join the English Department and VOCES, the Latino caucus of Montclair Township, to welcome Pulitzer-Prize winning author Junot Diaz to campus on Thursday, 12/4 at 6:30 PM in the University Hall 7th floor conference room. Please consider joining us!
Register here: https://www.montclair.edu/english/2025/11/12/pulitzer-prize-winning-author-junot-diaz-to-headline-voces-latino-thought-leaders-series-at-montclair/